Playing an international host
Waking up was hard to do today. Last night, Mom and I rode
down to the end of town (me on my bike and mom on her scooter) to watch the
fireworks over Termoli, the next town north. On all of the flyers and signs in
town (only two of them) it stated that the fireworks would start at mezzanotte
(midnight). Mom and I overestimated the time it would take her to ride down
there, so we got there way too early, at like 11:20 p.m. We waited there at the
farthest point Mom’s scooter could travel and midnight came and went. More and
more people showed up, well into the hundreds between those on the free beach
and those at the beach clubs at the northernmost end of town, all with a clear
view of Termoli. Then, just after 12:30 there was a loud boom and a flash over
Termoli. About 5 minutes later the sky erupted. I know this country claims to
be in crisi (crisis mode), and everyone is hoarding pennies, but they spare no
expense when honoring their saints. Last night was the second of three nights
honoring San Basso, the patron saint of Termoli. The days include concerts,
processionals, a boat regatta, and the fireworks, along with a street fair and
carnival. Termoli truly comes alive and the fireworks display they put on was
tremendous.
Today, though, we were playing international host to family
from both Italy and Hollanda (The Netherlands). Zia came down, along with my
Aunt Dini, my cousin Mariella, her husband Nik, and their sons Fabio and Elio. Mom
and I had prepped the meal last night before we went out to see fireworks,
knowing how long it would take to cook tomatoes, prepare meats, cook meats, pass
the sauce, combine, and cook until a delicious Sunday gravy was born. All of
the meats were butcher fresh, and the meal was an incredible success. All but
one piece of meat was eaten, as there were eight people at the table speaking
three languages (Dutch, Italian, and English). Needless to say, I didn’t get
out of the house this morning. But watching the look on people’s faces as they
ate made all of the work worth it.
Waking up was hard to do today. Last night, Mom and I rode
down to the end of town (me on my bike and mom on her scooter) to watch the
fireworks over Termoli, the next town north. On all of the flyers and signs in
town (only two of them) it stated that the fireworks would start at mezzanotte
(midnight). Mom and I overestimated the time it would take her to ride down
there, so we got there way too early, at like 11:20 p.m. We waited there at the
farthest point Mom’s scooter could travel and midnight came and went. More and
more people showed up, well into the hundreds between those on the free beach
and those at the beach clubs at the northernmost end of town, all with a clear
view of Termoli. Then, just after 12:30 there was a loud boom and a flash over
Termoli. About 5 minutes later the sky erupted. I know this country claims to
be in crisi (crisis mode), and everyone is hoarding pennies, but they spare no
expense when honoring their saints. Last night was the second of three nights
honoring San Basso, the patron saint of Termoli. The days include concerts,
processionals, a boat regatta, and the fireworks, along with a street fair and
carnival. Termoli truly comes alive and the fireworks display they put on was
tremendous. 
Today, though, we were playing international host to family
from both Italy and Hollanda (The Netherlands). Zia came down, along with my
Aunt Dini, my cousin Mariella, her husband Nik, and their sons Fabio and Elio. Mom
and I had prepped the meal last night before we went out to see fireworks,
knowing how long it would take to cook tomatoes, prepare meats, cook meats, pass
the sauce, combine, and cook until a delicious Sunday gravy was born. All of
the meats were butcher fresh, and the meal was an incredible success. All but
one piece of meat was eaten, as there were eight people at the table speaking
three languages (Dutch, Italian, and English). Needless to say, I didn’t get
out of the house this morning. But watching the look on people’s faces as they
ate made all of the work worth it. 